THE 2023 HOLLYWOODBETS COSAFA CUP HEATS UP!

What a week it’s been in Durban, from my arrival on Monday to now, as we are reaching the final, exciting phase of the tournament.

The four semi-finalists of the Southern African regional tournament, South Africa “Bafana Bafana”, Malawi “the Flames”, Lesotho “Likuena” (Crocodiles) and Zambia “the Chipolopolo” are confirmed. The match ups see the on form Flames take on the Crocodiles at 15:00 and Bafana Bafana will face tough Chipolopolo at 18:00, a mouth watering double header taking place at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Friday 14 July 2023.?

The Malawians are living up to their name and are literally “on fire” having made it three wins from three in the pool stages. They defeated up and coming Comoros?2-0?and have yet to concede a goal in the competition, storming into the Semi-Finals as they search for their first Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup title.

The final group standings are as follows :

Some interesting tournament stats show that the Comoros thus far have had the biggest victory and one would argue that they are the most improved team in this 2023 edition of the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup.

Matches Played:?16

Goals scored:?35

Biggest victory:?Seychelles 0 Comoros 3 (Group B, July 6)

Most goals in a game:?6 – Seychelles 2 Zambia 4 (Group B, July 11)

Off the pitch, and In the spirit of celebrating Mandela Day, there have been several activities taking place in the build-up to the Semi-Finals. COSAFA reached out to several less fortunate communities in and around eThekwini, partnering with the Hollywood Foundation for this initiative.

COSAFA consulted with the City of eThekwini and the Province of KZN to identify schools in need. The two schools identified were Buhlebethu and Siphosethu, both located in Kwa-Mashu.

Both Zambia and Malawi players and team management presented goodies to the schools and children courtesy of the Hollywoodbets Foundation today.

COSAFA Ambassadors, former Bafana Bafana Captain Lucas Radebe and Mark Fish were in attendance to the delight of the school children who could meet their heroes.

Back to the weekend’s action, my predictions are so far on track based on my choices on the final group standings. The Flames to burn the Crocodiles would be a good bet, and Bafana Bafana to finish in a stale mate against the Chipolopolo and to be decided on penalties with Bafana edging it.

In the Final on Sunday, expect Bafana to douse the Flames and emerge victorious. And the rest as they say is history!

What are your predictions?

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